THE MERCHANT OF VENICE 2.4

The same. A street.

[Enter GRATIANO, LORENZO, SALARINO, and SALANIO]

LORENZO Nay, we will slink away in supper-time,

Disguise us at my lodging and return,

All in an hour.

GRATIANO We have not made good preparation.

SALARINO We have not spoke us yet of torchbearers. 5

SALANIO 'Tis vile, unless it may be quaintly order'd,

And better in my mind not undertook.

LORENZO 'Tis now but four o'clock: we have two hours

To furnish us.

[Enter LAUNCELOT, with a letter]

Friend Launcelot, what's the news? 10

LAUNCELOT An it shall please you to break up

this, it shall seem to signify.

LORENZO I know the hand: in faith, 'tis a fair hand;

And whiter than the paper it writ on

Is the fair hand that writ. 15

GRATIANO Love-news, in faith.

LAUNCELOT By your leave, sir.

LORENZO Whither goest thou?

LAUNCELOT Marry, sir, to bid my old master the

Jew to sup to-night with my new master the Christian. 20

LORENZO Hold here, take this: tell gentle Jessica

I will not fail her; speak it privately.

Go, gentlemen,

[Exit Launcelot]

Will you prepare you for this masque tonight?

I am provided of a torch-bearer. 25

SALANIO Ay, marry, I'll be gone about it straight.

SALANIO And so will I.

LORENZO Meet me and Gratiano

At Gratiano's lodging some hour hence.

SALARINO 'Tis good we do so.

[Exeunt SALARINO and SALANIO]

GRATIANO Was not that letter from fair Jessica? 30

LORENZO I must needs tell thee all. She hath directed

How I shall take her from her father's house,

What gold and jewels she is furnish'd with,

What page's suit she hath in readiness.

If e'er the Jew her father come to heaven, 35

It will be for his gentle daughter's sake:

And never dare misfortune cross her foot,

Unless she do it under this excuse,

That she is issue to a faithless Jew.

Come, go with me; peruse this as thou goest: 40

Fair Jessica shall be my torch-bearer.

[Exeunt]

LORENZO		Nay, we will slink away in supper-time,
		Disguise us at my lodging and return,
		All in an hour.

SALANIO		'Tis vile, unless it may be quaintly order'd,
		And better in my mind not undertook.

LORENZO	'Tis now but four o'clock: we have two hours
	To furnish us.
	[Enter LAUNCELOT, with a letter]
	Friend Launcelot, what's the news?	10

LAUNCELOT		An it shall please you to break up
		this, it shall seem to signify.

LORENZO	I know the hand: in faith, 'tis a fair hand;
	And whiter than the paper it writ on
	Is the fair hand that writ.	15

LAUNCELOT		Marry, sir, to bid my old master the
		Jew to sup to-night with my new master the Christian.	20

LORENZO	Hold here, take this: tell gentle Jessica
	I will not fail her; speak it privately.
	Go, gentlemen,
	[Exit Launcelot]
	Will you prepare you for this masque tonight?
	I am provided of a torch-bearer.	25

LORENZO		Meet me and Gratiano
		At Gratiano's lodging some hour hence.

LORENZO	I must needs tell thee all. She hath directed
	How I shall take her from her father's house,
	What gold and jewels she is furnish'd with,
	What page's suit she hath in readiness.
	If e'er the Jew her father come to heaven,	35
	It will be for his gentle daughter's sake:
	And never dare misfortune cross her foot,
	Unless she do it under this excuse,
	That she is issue to a faithless Jew.
	Come, go with me; peruse this as thou goest:	40
	Fair Jessica shall be my torch-bearer.
	[Exeunt]